Arrangement for the measurement of electrical impedance



May 18, 1943 J. 6. QUAYLE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE Fild Sept; :5,v 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEK May 18, 1943 J. cfquAYLE 2,319,475

AREANGEMENT FOR .I-HE MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRICAL IMPEDAECE Filed Sept. 3, 1941' 4 Sheets-She 2 mam w A770AMEY May 18,1943

J. c. QUAYLE 2,319,475

ARRAIjGEMENT FOR THE MEASIJREIIIENI OF ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE File'd Se t. 3, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A TTORNE Y y 1943 i J, "c; QUAYLE 2,319,475

ARRANGEMENT FOR mmushsuasmfinm 0F ELECTRICAL'IMPEDANCE Filed Sept. 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i JWMM A TTOR/VEV and is adjusted to resonance.

Patented May 18, 1943 ARRANGEMENT FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRICAL CE Joshua Greer Quayle, Helsby. England, assignor' to British Insulated Cables Limited, Prescot,

Lancashire, Enfland, a British Com? I Application September 3, 1941, Serial No. 409.377, In Great Britain September 9, 1940 6 Claims. (Cl. 175-183) This invention is concernedwith the'measurement of the impedance of an electrical element by the known method basedon ascertaining the voltage magnification of a series resonant circuit. In obtaining the value of this magnification a circuit comprising inductance and capacity in series has applied to it an alternating voltage plied across the two elements in series is measured and the voltage across one ofthese elements is f also measured. the magnification being the ratio of the latter voltage to the former. The applied voltage may be conveniently measured by way of the current in a standard resistance connected acrossthe resonant circuit. This current can be measured by a thermo-element and associated instrument of known kind. The voltage across the inductance or capacity is preferably measured by a valve voltmeter.

The ratio of the voltage across an impedance In the improved arrangement, the permanent inductance and capacity elements of the resonant circuit are split into two equal halves and there is provision for inserting the unknown impedance between the two halves of the appropriate circuit impedance element and the magnifled voltage is applied to two valves connected The voltage ap- Y in a symmetrical arrangement across two half impedances. These valves form part of the voltage measuring device. The output from them is preferably taken through-the centre point of a resistance connecting them. The circuit is anchored to earth at a point so placed that it is symmetrical in the circuit in relation to the earth connection applied by the impedance element to be measured.

The mechanical construction and the relative disposition of the parts ofv this arrangement are of importance,- since it is necessary to keep connections as short as possible to avoid the intro duction of unwanted inductive elements. The

element to the applied voltage, which is equal to theratio -oi the inductive reactance to the resistance in the resonant circuit, is often denoted by Q and accordingly a measuring ar-' rangement of the kind indicated is'frequently spoken of as a Q-meter."

In using the arrangement, the magnification is measured before and after inserting the unknown impedance. This unknown'impedanc'e,

is included inthe appropriate part of the circuit,

that is in series or in shunt, according as the unknown impedance has a low or high value compared with the impedance oithe original inductance or capacity.

As usually arranged the resonant circuit a Q-meter has one end earthed. This has imposed certain limitations on the form of-the impedance which can be inserted in it for the purpose-of measurement. Itis limited to thosejimpedances in which one terminal is earthed. It can be used effectively for instance in measuring the capacity and/or the losses of a length of cable of a form comprising a conductor and sheath, but it is not adapted for measuring the capacity between two conductors enclosed within a single sheath, which, in eifect, must-form an earth connection not anchored to either terminal. 1

The invention provides an improved form of Q -meter, in which an impedance having terminals symmetrically placed in relation to earth can be measured. It can'accoi'dingly deal with the case of two conductors within a sheath such as are used in certain iorms of low-capacity, high-frequency communication cables.

invention, accordingly. also comprises a form of construction of apparatus as hereinafter set out. The invention will be further described by the aid of the accompanying drawings, of which Figures 1-4 show a form of construction of measuring device in accordance with the invention and Figure 5 is a diagram of the circuit of V the device and associatedapparatus.

Figures 1 .and 2 are-side elevations from opposite sides, as indicated by arrows marked l and I in Figure 8. Figure Sis a section on the-line III-lIIoi' Figure 1 and Figures is a partial plan view showing the socket plate and parts directly associated with it. The coils are shown in side elevation in Figure 1 and-in end elevation in Figure 3, inposition above but lifted from their sockets. The same reference numerals are used on thediagram, Figured, as on the other figures of thedrawings for the same parts.

Reference will first be made to Figure 5. The

' external voltage for use in testing is applied to terminals 3 and 4 across which a measuring resistance I, having a low value, is arranged. The supply being at high frequency is conveyed by a co-axial cable, the inner conductor of which is indicated at t and the outer conductor at 1. An

. coil ll.

indication of the. strength of the current is given .by the meter 8, which is coupled between the conductor I and terminal I, by the thermo junction 9. To the terminal I is connected oneend ofthe coil l0 and to the terminal 4 one end of the The two coils .are similarand together provide the inductive part of the resonant circuit. To the otherterminals of these coils il and H are connected respectively, one terminal l2 and I3 of each of two similar variable condensers M and II, which are completelyinsulated from earth and are mechanically coupled. To the other terminals l6 and ll of these condensers are connected the test impedance, which is shown as a twin cable comprising cores 10, insulating material II and sheath l2. Convenient means for short-circuitins these terminals I3 and H is provided at l8. Across each of the coils l and II is connected one of the diodes l9 and 29, the cathodes being Joined to the input terminal 3. The anodes are connected together by a 'high resistance BI, 32 from the centre point of which a lead to a terminal 22 is taken. From this a connection" goes to a voltmeter H either directly, as shown, or through an amplifier. In parallel with the diode I8 is connected the resistance 60 and across the resistances Bil and El is placed the condenser 34. The resistance 83 and condenser 85 are similarly placed in relation to the diode 20 and the resistance 62.

For rigorous balance the earth connection at the input side of the circuit should be made at the centre of the measuring resistance 8. Since, however, this resistance is very small compared with the other impedances in the circuit, there is no serious loss of accuracy in making the earth connection at one end of this resistance as. shown in Figure 5.

The measuring device is built up on a frame consisting of a base 23 and an end plate 28. It may be enclosed by a cover 25, as shown in Figure 3. This cover is not shown in other figures.

The principal structural element is a variable condenser comprising the two sections it and lb. The two sections are completely insulated, both rotor and stator, from each-other and from earth. v

An important feature of each section is a'massive metal end piece 23 and 21 which is in the form 01' a flat bar with two offset ends. Each of the lower offsets 28 and 29 serves as a supporting foot and rests on and is connected to insulating pillars 36. These pillars are carried on a sub-base 3|, supported from the main base at a short distance above it. The upper oil'set ends, which lie above the condenser sections, serve as connections to and supports for the two cells l0 and H They also support a plate 32 of insulating material which carries the sockets for the coil and certain other parts.

In each of the and pieces 28 and 21 is provided a bearing for the rotor shaft of the adjacent condenser section. These two shafts 83 and 36 are connected end to end by an insulating coupling 35. There is metallic contact between the shaft 33 and theend piece 28 and be.- tween the shaft 3! and the end piece 21, so that the upper offset portions or these and pieces serve as the terminals l2 and I3 for the movable parts of the condenser sections. By means of a subi stantial insulating sleeve 36, one end of the condenser shaft Skis connected mechanically with, but held apart electrically from,the driving shaft 31, which is coupled through the reducinggear 38 with the operating handle 33 and dial 43 carried by the end plate 28.

The stator 01 each. condenser section has an end member I of insulating material which is carried on and located bythe'end pieces =26 and 21 respectively. The stator of the condenser It is provided with a metal bracket 62, which connects with terminal plate 63 carrying terminal l6. Similarly, the stator of condenser I5 is connected by a bracket 43 with a terminal plate 65 which carries terminal E1. The terminal plates at and 5 and brackets 42 and 44 are connected by an insulating plate 45. The two terminal plates 53 and are spaced apart by a short distance. They may be connected together by the short-circuiting plug l8, shown in position.

The two coils l0 and H are mounted on an insulating plate 41, as shown in the upper parts of Figures 1 and 3, and the connections from the coils to the rest of the circuit are made by the four pins 88 which enter into correspondingly placed sockets in the plate 32, The two end sockets Q9 and 5B are carried directly by the terminal ends 12 and I3 respectively of the condenser end pieces 21 and 26 and also serve to secure the plate-32 to those end pieces, which support it. As best seen in Figure 4, the other two sockets 5i and 52 are connected to the terminals 3 and 4 at which the high frequency alternating current is applied. The connection is from the terminal 3 to the socket 5! by the strip of metal 53, which is attached to the lower surface of the plate 32 by the socket ill. The socket 52 is connected to the terminal d by the strip of metal 58, which is held against the underside of the plate 32 by the socket 52. The resistance 5 is connected across these strips 53 and 54, its

ends being soldered to the strips, and its main part separated from the strips by theinterposition of a strip of mica 55.

The outer conductor 7 of the co-axial cable for I supply of high frequency current is clipped on to the terminal 3 as shown in Figure 4 and forms the earthing connection for it. The inner con-,

' coupling condenser 35. The coupling condenser E? is similarly associated with the anode of the valve 20 and the end piece 28 of the condenser IS.

The two valves 19 and 2B are mounted in holders on the sub-base 8i and are fed with heating currents for their cathodes by way of the leads EB fed from an external supply through a screened socket 59. The cathodes are connected to earth by way of the sub-base 3 l This socket 59 also provides a way for the connection between the lead 73 from terminal 22 and the voltmeter arrangement. The co-axial cable 8, l, makes connection with the external supply of high frequency current through the socket 59.

The sub-base 3| and the base 23 are earthed. On this sub-base the terminal 22 is supported by the insulator 15. The resistances 8B and 63 are supported on the sub-base 3| and connected to it at their lower ends. At their upper ends they are connected to the anodes of the diodes l9 and 2D and to the resistances 6i and 62 which at their other ends are connected together and to terminal 22. v

The Q-meter, inaccordance with the invention, is intended for making a variety of measurements, including capacity, inductance, magnification, impedance and attenuation. The following description shows the procedure to be followed.

To measure the magnification-of a balanced twin coil, the input current I is measured on meter 8. If r is the magnitude of resistance 5, then the injected voltage equals Ir. The resonant voltage V developed across the coils is measured by the meter 14. Then the magnification of the coil equals V/Ir.

For components other than coils, the method depends on the change of magnification of the tuned circuit'when the component is connected toit.

Capacities are connected across terminals l2 and I3, plug I8 being left in; while inductances are connected in series with terminals l6 and I], plug I8 being removed to insert the unknown inductance into the circuit.

To measure the magnitude of a balanced inductance of self capacityCo, set the tuning condenser to a capacity C1 and adjust the frequency f of the input current until resonance occurs as i 7 shown by maximum response of the valve'voltmeter 14. Then the unknown inductance in microhenries, equals is the frequency of the alternating current) To measure a balanced capacity, set the tuning condenser to a value C1 near maximum, with an inductance in circuit suitable for tuning this capacity to'the required frequency. Tune the Connect the unknown cacillator to resonance. pacity C to terminals l2 and I3 and reduce the tuning capacity to a value 02 to obtain resonance again. Then 01:65-02.

a The impedance-and attenuation of balanced cable's can be'measured by the well known techniques of treating them as resonant lines; or by measuring their reactive and resistive components of. impedance when open and short-circuited at the far end.

Where the phrase a similar impedance or "similar impedances is used in the following claims it is intended to indicate that two impedancesare of the same kind, e. g. 'both capacitative impedances or both inductive impedances.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A Q-meter comprising an inductance element and a capacity element in series, adjustable to resonance, and an earth connection, said inductance and capacity elements being each in two equal parts arranged symmetrically relaf tive to said earth connection, means permitting the insertion of an impedance to be'tested between the two parts of one of said impedance elements, two rectifying valves connected in a symmetrical arrangement one across each of the parts of one of said impedance elements, measuring means for ascertaining the voltage applied to the meter, and measuring means for ascer taining the voltage across one of said impedance elements. 4

2. A Q-meter comprising two coils, of equal inductance, two equal variable condensers, in-

sulated from earth and from each other and mechanically coupled together, and an earth connection, the coils and condensers being connected electrically in two'series groups, Simulfying valves each connected across a similar impedance in one of the groups and means for indicating the voltagerectified thereby.

3. A Q-meter comprising two coils, of equal inductance, two equal variable condensers,'insulated from earth and from each other and mechanically coupled together, and an earth conto earth.

1. A Q-meter comprising two coils of equal in ductance, two equal variable condensers, insulated from'earth and from each other and mechanically coupled together, a. resistance of low value and earth-connected, the coils and condensers being connected electrically in two similar series groups, simultaneously adjustable to resonance, which groups are symmetrical about the said resistance which is connected betweenone pair of ends of the said groups, removable means fot connecting directly together the other pair of ends of the said groups, means for inserting between the last mentioned ends an impedance'tob tested, two rectifying valves each connected across a similar impedance in one of the groups and measuring means for ascertaining the applied voltage and the voltage across one of said impedance elements.

5. A Q-meter comprising an inductance .element and a capacity element in series, adjustable to resonance, and an earth connection, said inductance and capacity elements being each in two equal parts arranged symmetrically relative to said earth connection, means permitting the insertion of an impedance to be tested betaneously adjustable to resonance, which groups are symmetrical about the said earth connection, means for applying an alternating voltage between one pair of ends of the said groups,

means for measuring said voltage, means for in-- serting an impedance to be tested between two symmetrical points in the said groups, two recti tween the two parts of one of said impedance elements, a symmetrical two-valve thermionic rectifying device connected across the parts of the other of said impedance elements and a measuring instrument connected to a mid-point of said device and to earth.

.6. A Q-meter comprising two equal variable condensers insulated from earth and from each other and mechanically coupled in line. two metal end pieces supporting said condensers and each electrically connected to a rotor thereof, a resistance of-low value, an insulating plate carried by said end pieces and carrying four connecting devices, two of which make connection with said end pieces and the other two of which connect with and carry the said resistance, a-

second insulating plate carrying two equal coils and four connecting members mating with said devices and acting as terminals for said coils, a pair of brackets, one carried by each stator of said condensers and serving as an electrical connection therefor, a test-connection terminal mounted on each of saidbrackets and two rectifying valves mounted close to the condensers and each connected between one of said end pieces and the said resistance.

- JOSHUA CREER QUAYLE. 

